Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Non-Profit Spotlight: SAGEWorks

SAGEWorks
exists to help the LGBT community thrive in later years. SAGEWorks is a
national employment support program for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) people age 40 and older that expands participants’ job hunting skills
and career options, and connects employers to diverse high-caliber candidates.
Recognizing the importance of remaining employed and fulfilled in today's
competitive job market, SAGEWorks provides hands-on workshops, technology
training and personal coaching at various sites nationwide.

SAGEWorks is a program of Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) which is the country's largest and oldest
organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) older adults. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York
City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and
consumer resources for LGBT older adults and their caregivers, advocates for
public policy changes that address the needs of LGBT older people, and provides
training for aging providers and LGBT organizations, largely through its
National Resource Center on LGBT Aging. With offices in New York City, Washington,
DC and Chicago, SAGE coordinates a growing network of 28 local SAGE affiliates
in 20 states and the District of Columbia.

Michele D’Amato, Program Manager at SAGEWorks was kind
enough to take time to share what’s new at SAGEWorks and how we can all get
more involved.

Michele D'AmatoProgram Manager, SAGEWorks

How have things changed since you first
started at SAGEWorks?

When we
started in 2010 we offered an a la carte menu of services, (workshops,
technology classes, 1:1 job coaching), but as of 2014 we added a two-week
intensive employment “boot camp” program. This required jobseekers to
complete an online application allowing staff to assess employment readiness,
motivation and core competencies.

See boot camp video here.

What areas have you seen more need for the
Elders at SAGEWorks?

In addition
to improving individual lives SAGEWorks is helping to build visibility around
LGBT aging employment issues on the local and national level. SAGEWorks
builds relationships with local employers in an effort to create a more
LGBT-and age-affirming employment market pipelines for SAGEWorks
participants.

Tell us about 2 key
activities/projects SAGEWorks is
currently working on.

We are always
seeking collaborative partners, specifically engaging corporate partners to
offer pro bono services either through 1:1 assistance with SAGEWorks program
participants, presenting on panels and facilitating skills-building
workshops. We are also seeking additional funding for the program so we can
continue providing the services free of charge.

Where do you see opportunities for the
nglccNY community to engage SAGEWorks?

Access to
companies/organizations that are hiring. Networking opportunities,
volunteer career coaches, HR and employment experts to facilitate workshops or
participate on a panel. In kind donations for special SAGEWorks
networking events.

How can members of the chamber hiring
connect with SAGEWorks looking for
Internships/employment?

They can go
to our website to learn more and apply for either “basic” a la carte services
or the employment boot camp.

What events are coming up?

We have two
workshops coming up in July: Career Transition: How to Enjoy and Be Empowered
by The Process of Changing Jobs” and Strategies to Overcome Barriers to
Employment Success (TBD). We also have an employment boot camp starting
onJuly 25th.

If members want to volunteer, what is the
best way to connect?

Anyone that
wants to volunteer at SAGE must go through a volunteer orientation. These
are held once a month and facilitated byBertis Shankle-Reyes, Volunteer and
Outreach Coordinator at bshankle@sageusa.org.

To learn more
about SAGE and SAGEWorks you may chat up Michele D’Amato at our next M3 or

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About NGLCCNY

The National LGBT Chamber of Commerce New York provides valuable business development opportunities, financial access and educational resources to LGBT and allied businesses in the New York Metro area. As the official Metro New York affiliate chamber of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, NGLCCNY is the voice of thousands of LGBT-owned businesses and actively promotes and creates supplier diversity and procurement opportunities for its growing base of corporate partners and business members.